I read an article this morning that just touched my heart.... it is a story about a very special young man who is honoring our Fallen Heroes! Ricky Gilleland, a 17 year old, is surrounded by tombstones just about every weekend. He walks a cemetery looking for individuals who have died in the […]

I just HEART climbing roses. I also HEART how they bring "dept & height" (Verticality) to my smaller garden. My rose family includes John Cabot, Don Juan and Climbing Pinata (don't those names sound so romantic!). John Cabot has really done very well in my garden, so well that his vines have kind of definitely […]

Five days ago we broke a record in Illinois, it was 90° (started using our grill)! Today it is 44°, windy, rainy and COLD (back to the oven)! I wanted to make brown rice but shy away from making it because it's been hard to get the right consistency. Too wet, too dry, too hard, […]

Things have been pretty crazy around here and I haven't been able to focus on my beloved garden until this week. As I was walking the grounds yard something just seemed off? As I scanned the garden at ground level everything seemed OK (Oh boy, need to start weeding right now!). What is it? What's […]

In a small garden one must always think in terms of "verticality". What I mean is go "VERTICAL" in your garden. Going vertical can bring dept, height and interest. I have many different kinds of vines in my garden, and one of my variate is Fiveleaf Akebia. Akebia, also known as chocolate vine, is either […]

In my neck of the woods (Northern Illinois) nuisance trees Silver Maples are abundant! One would only need to plant 1 Silver Maple to supply the ENTIRE United States with Silver Maples. So every year I dread the 1001, 1002, 1003 count of how many Silver Maple Seed Saplings I pull out of my garden. […]

I've been looking for a dressing table for a long time. I just love them, and I don't even know if they are in "style" anymore or not...but to me there's something "Hollywood" and feminine about sitting at a dressing table. This is not the actual piece (didn't take a before picture) but is part […]

Get your mind out of the gutter! The little somethin' somethin' I'm talking about is for my front hall cabinet. She just needed a little somethin' more. So I headed off to my trusty fabric "stash". To be honest - I am a fabric hoarder! Sometimes think I need to be in a fabric "12" […]

I have been known to wait until the last minute to do things, and this Spring/Easter project is no exception. To be honest this project was put together about 3 weeks ago. Things have been a little crazy around here (all good) and I'll fill you in on the details soon. I wanted a budget […]

I never seen to have enough storage space and the front foyer is no exception. When you think of a "front foyer" you'd probably have visions of grandeur, like this.... or this.... or even this......... If you think those foyers are grand just wait the best is yet to come. Now mind you I […]

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"A cottage small and quaint as it sits all alone, the sun sets just overhead giving all the comforts of home.

Ivy grows upon its walls. Warmth and laughter linger behind its door pale linen curtains white and shear, A cottage invites those who visit from far and near.

Cottages have a special magic that comes from their country appeal, A cottage holds this treasure of cottage secrets never revealed".

Shelley Costello

Welcome, I'm Cathy! Since retiring my personal chef business it's been wonderful to stay home, and have the time, to enjoy everything to do with cozy cottage living and gardening.

I love to hunt for the treasures that others tossed aside! I'm a thrifting and re- purposing diva by heart. I very rarely buy "new" as the old treasures hold the charm and character that I love. I'll share my loves of cooking, recipes, entertaining, gardening, crafting, re-cycling and cozy cottage home decor.

Join me on the 1929 Charmer's journey through updo's and redo's and everything in between. Remember, a cottage home can be achieved using imagination, creativity and thrift store treasures on a limited budget!

"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have, to be happy with simple pleasures, and have courage when things go wrong." Laura Ingalls Wilder

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